press freedom

Thoughts on press freedom and about a Dhaka weekly that died without a bang

For an aspiring journalist like myself, there could not have been a better training ground than the East Bengal Times.

When will the news media dare to question itself?

Self-regulation is a moral and accountable means through which the media makes itself responsible to the public

‘The Fourth Estate will not survive unless defended’

Martin Moore and Thomas Colley, authors of Dictating Reality: The Global Battle to Control the News (2025), discuss how governments worldwide manipulate the media, reshape public perception, and construct competing realities in an age of digital disinformation. The interview was conducted by Shamsuddoza Sajen of The Daily Star.

‘The Fourth Estate will not survive unless defended’

Martin Moore and Thomas Colley, authors of Dictating Reality: The Global Battle to Control the News (2025), discuss how governments worldwide manipulate the media, reshape public perception, and construct competing realities in an age of digital disinformation. The interview was conducted by Shamsuddoza Sajen of The Daily Star.

End impunity, uphold press freedom

The Daily Star joins the freedom-loving world today in observing the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

Country in urgent need of law to protect journalism

Bangladesh urgently needs an independent media commission and laws to protect journalism and journalists in order to strengthen press freedom, speakers said at an event yesterday.

Freedom of the press at its lowest in 50 years: study

More than half of the countries, registered a drop in one of the five key democracy indicators between 2019 and 2024

Somoy TV journalist beaten by lawyers inside Dhaka courtroom

Muktadir Rashid Romeo verbally abused, forced out of courtroom

‘No govt interference in media operations’

In response to concerns of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh regarding overall media freedom and journalists’ safety, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing yesterday said there has been “no government interference” in media operations since it took office.

September 11, 2025
September 11, 2025

Freedom of the press at its lowest in 50 years: study

More than half of the countries, registered a drop in one of the five key democracy indicators between 2019 and 2024

September 4, 2025
September 4, 2025

Somoy TV journalist beaten by lawyers inside Dhaka courtroom

Muktadir Rashid Romeo verbally abused, forced out of courtroom

August 9, 2025
August 9, 2025

‘No govt interference in media operations’

In response to concerns of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh regarding overall media freedom and journalists’ safety, the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing yesterday said there has been “no government interference” in media operations since it took office.

May 4, 2025
May 4, 2025

Media reform chief decries attacks on journalists

He also criticised the growing climate of fear and self-censorship in the media

January 18, 2025
January 18, 2025

Hasina regime silenced media

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam yesterday said steps must be taken to ensure that no one can directly interfere with the media in the future like it was done during the ousted Sheikh Hasina government.

December 24, 2024
December 24, 2024

Proper reforms will strengthen the media

The changes proposed by the Media Reform Commission will address journalist vulnerabilities.

December 6, 2024
December 6, 2024

The resurgence of political cartoons

How political cartoons in Bangladesh overcame censorship post July uprising.

November 30, 2024
November 30, 2024

You have crushed fascism, now strengthen democracy and press freedom

The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam's appeal to the ‘new generation leaders’

November 27, 2024
November 27, 2024

Fakhrul condemns attacks on Prothom Alo, The Daily Star

I have fought for press freedom my entire life, he said

November 2, 2024
November 2, 2024

A moment for self-reflection

Journalists today must be both defenders of truth and advocates for change within the profession and in the wider society.